WANTED Bilstein B4 kit

[enuff_zed]

Why is this dust cover a smooth cylinder as opposed to the ribbed one that came out of my car?

https://www.apd.co.uk/car-parts/suspens ... ber-103828

Because it's a horrible plastic thing that will rattle.
See my earlier post, revive your rubber ones and reuse them.
You should be able to find the bump stops without the plastic. If not, swap those over when you get them.

[enuff_zed]

Here are screen shots from RealOEM
Capture.PNGCapture2.PNG

Ha! Snap!

[Dr. Zed]

Not saying I don't believe you guys - I do and I'm already convinced you're right. But why are mine so different? Or am I going absolutely mad?

[Gregory_tolson]

Slowly getting closer
You now know you DO have MSport suspension. so you have the lower springs. If they ain't broke.......................
Can swap rears out later if they do break, but my logic would say with new dampers the spring will be under less stress as it's finally getting a little assistance.
So you either get the expensive B6 option, or consider going standard shock. In that case the B4 looks a little longer than the Sachs?
Add to that my experience with fitting standard Sachs on MSport springs with no detriment.
It's starting to come down to price and availability.

Yes, thank you for everyone's help in this!
Well my guy can get the B4's in this week and they're 170 odd for both (though autodoc are now having another sale, ffs. Typical).

So you're suggesting, if I opt for B4's is use the current springs and then the B4's with M sport bump stops?

If so my question is (more questions!)
Why is this dust cover a smooth cylinder as opposed to the ribbed one that came out of my car?

https://www.apd.co.uk/car-parts/suspens ... ber-103828

I do know the bump stops are a different size on the sport suspension versus regular. Luckily my B6's have built in bump stops with the blue ribbed plastic. The B4's you need to buy the bumps stops and install.

[Rockhopper]

Lots of people don't realise that early 3.0's had Msport as standard so when they change parts they fit ordinary stuff. One poor chap i met had a lovely 3.0 with Msport springs on the front and standard springs on the back as it turned out.
Oh and shock length doesn't make any difference to ride height, its the spring that does that. B4's are possibly slightly longer than B6's and Sachs Msport as they are designed to work with 15mm taller springs.

[enuff_zed]

oooh hang on! Just realised I've been looking at a 3.0 and yours is a 2.5. That could be it.

But then the part number off yours definitely matches the 3.0 list?

EDIT: 2.5 looks the same to me.

Not sure what yours is doing?

[Gregory_tolson]

Not saying I don't believe you guys - I do and I'm already convinced you're right. But why are mine so different? Or am I going absolutely mad?

you searched the 3.0SI model

[Dr. Zed]

Because it's a horrible plastic thing that will rattle.
See my earlier post, revive your rubber ones and reuse them.
You should be able to find the bump stops without the plastic. If not, swap those over when you get them.

Cool, figured they were different designs. Just making sure. Thanks! I'll reuse my current ones. They're absolutely fine - the covers, not the stops, they're knackered as you can tell!

[Gregory_tolson]

Is your e85 a 2005?

[Dr. Zed]

Gregory_tolson, enuff_zed,

I couldn't be looking at the 3.0 model as I used my VIN. Unless there's some dodgy history with my car where it's had an engine replacement or chasis number forged

[Dr. Zed]

Is your e85 a 2005?

2.5 i SE 2004

[Dr. Zed]

Top of the page on realoem says 2.5si which isn't technically my car either but definitely doesn't say I'm looking at a 3 ltre

[Gregory_tolson]

yeah, real oem must be searching your VIN # wrong. Search solely based on what your car is versus the VIN.

[Gregory_tolson]

The si didnt start till like 2006

[Dr. Zed]

yeah, real oem must be searching your VIN # wrong. Search solely based on what your car is versus the VIN.

I did this after you mentioned the 3 litre thing.
Parts are now showing the same as you and enuff zed. Not that it matters ultimately as it's still the same B4 suspension I need but was just confusing me so much why it was different!